<p>I’m a current UCR student and I chose it over UCLA, UCI, and UCSD, compared to other UC’s they have a very generous financial aid program. (IE. they paid for my first year at UCR). The professors are all top notch, because if you look at it this way - they might be a little lax on student admissions, but when it comes to the staff they only hire top notch profs. IE. My fresh hist prof. went to harvard, and taught at yale for 18 years. He also has multiple books published. Admissions at UCR might be lax, but the education is and will always be top notch. Its what you make of it that counts.</p>